National Senior, u/20 & Juvenile Even Ages XC 2024 (17th Nov)
Castle Irvine Estate in Irvinestown was the venue for the National Senior, u/20 & Juvenile Even Ages Cross Country Championships on Sunday 17th November. Castle Irvine, also known as Necarne Castle, is a 230+ acre estate, nestled in Irvinestown, County Fermanagh. The estate consists of the castle, courtyard and numerous trails through the stunning woodlands. Pitched spectacularly within the estate was the cross country course for the National Cross Country Championships for Senior (& u/23), u/20 and Juveniles u/12, 14, 16 and 18.
Cormac Dalton headed to Fermanagh to defend his National title from last year. He was involved throughout the Senior men 7,500m race in a great battle for the podium places. Eventually he had to settle for the bronze medal. For the club honours he was well supported by the strong finishing of Jack O’Leary in 29th place, Vinny Connolly 35th and Jamie Battle 39th. However, their combined efforts came up just short as they finished 4th Club, just short of the podium places. Kevin Moore, Andy Nevin, Timmy Murphy, Ian McCormack , Matthew Glennon and Stephen Nea gave great support finishing in the middle of a large field. In the u/23 race run in conjunction with the Seniors, Matthew Glennon performed admirably coming home in a top 20 position.
A team from Mullingar Harriers were amongst the nearly 100 starters in the Senior Women 7,500m race. This was great to see, as the club has not fielded a full Senior Women’s team in this race since 2019. Our Leinster Champion, Claire Fagan ran with the leading pack over the very fast first lap and tucked in nicely as the race progressed over the mucky and hilly terrain. The front pack began to split after approximately 3k when the eventual winner, Letterkenny AC’s Annemarie McGlynn pushed the pace on, but Claire continued to race hard finishing strong in 11th position. A great result in what was a very stacked field of high-quality female athletes.
Susan Glennon ran a great race, working with a pack of athletes through the course, to finish in 56th position. Ciara Foy progressed very well through the race, running a fast last lap to finish in 68th. The team was completed with Sinead Whitelaw in 72nd and Orlaith Flanagan in 82nd. The Mullingar Harriers team finished in 8th position overall, a good result in what was a very competitive National club championship. The team also finished 6th County, but 1st “B” County to win National team gold medals.
Mullingar Harriers had athletes competing in the Juvenile and u/20 competitions. Pride of place in these events goes to Lily Walsh who ran a superb race to take individual silver in the u/14 girls 3,000m competition and led the Leinster team to the gold medals in the Inter-Provincial competition. She was well supported by her club colleagues in this event, Chloe Bell, Siomha Leonard, Shaynah Mitchell, Clodagh Keane and Amelie G Kelly.
In the u/12 girls 2,000m there were good performances from Caoimhe Lynam, Lauryn Smith, Katie Bohan, Isabelle Morris and Helen McGrath. In the boys u/12 boys 2,000m the club and county were represented by Daniel Cummins, Cillian McManus (Athlone AC), Mel Bohan, Adam O’Donoghue, Donagh Bourke, Aaron Robinson, Cillian Gavin, Conor Gavin, Cian Gavin and Noah Morgan. Daniel secured a bronze medal with the Leinster team.
In the u/14 boys 3,000m the club was represented by Antonio Bertolo, Oisin Clarke, Gareth Glennon and Harry Flanagan. Mullingar come home just outside the team medals in 5th place. Eleanor Kiernan was part of the Leinster team to secure silver in the u/16 girls 4,000m, where Tianna O’Leary also performed well. Conor Walsh was the sole club representative in the u/16 boys 4,000m. With a very strong run Conor finished a satisfactory 18th of the 150 participants.
The u/18 boys 4,500m was a very competitive race. Jamie Wallace had a fine run, backed up by Conor Liston, Donagh Carey and Oisin Kehoe, they were just outside a podium place finishing a close 5th club. They had good support also from club colleagues Matthew Molloy, Luke Greene and Txema Lozano. Jamie won a bronze medal with the Leinster team. The u/20 Women 4,500m squad ran well and finished 5th club. There were good performances from Grace Byrne, Aibhne O’Farrell, Jessica Cunningham, Aine Gilhooly (Athlone AC), Aisling Lane and Louise Callaghan. The Mullingar team in the u/20 Men 4,500m ran with great determination and an excellent run from John Ryan, followed closely by Diarmuid Fagan, Ross Killalea, Conor Sherwin and Conleth Mullen brought the club home in 5th place and 2nd Leinster team [MO’S].
